For our descendants, Advent and Christmas Eve are more than just a festival with a lot of baggage. We discussed the subject with the children during a fun craft session in the SOS Children’s Village Burgenland.
The SOS Children’s Village in Pinkafeld (Burgenland) is located on a small hill. From a distance we see children playing tag, and as we get closer, one of the boys can’t stop and lands on my feet.
We laugh. We did not expect such a stormy welcome. The boy looks up for a moment, says “Hello!” – and is already gone, after his friend. The two obviously don’t have time to tinker with us.
But other kids like Emilia (11). She doesn’t do much with horses, she explains to us, but she loves dogs and unicorns. And Noah’s favorite animal is the lion. The seven-year-old proudly reports that he had recited a poem for Sinterklaas the day before. He is too shy to repeat today. But the fact that Nikolo has not yet visited us “Krone” people does worry him.
Paper plate angels
Today, together with Miss Jennifer (26), we are making an angel out of paper plates. It is cut and glued, bound and painted. And besides? Cookies nibbled!
Which do you think tastes best? “Here,” calls Noah – and you can just see the last tip of vanilla crescent disappear into his mouth. She also likes Emilia – and Linzer eyes. No wonder then that the cookies that the children baked together are almost all gone.
The meaning of Christmas
Do you know why we celebrate Christmas? Noah is silent. Emilia nods: “Yes, that’s where Jesus was born.” When we ask what’s the best thing about Christmas, Noah suddenly jumps up and exclaims, “Presents!” We smile. Did we expect otherwise?
If possible, Emilia will show us. The girl makes it clear: “Yes, gifts. But also that everyone is there together.” It’s nice when everyone in the children’s village celebrates together, she says, and then it’s nice when the family is together.
The descendants also have nothing against a Christmas tree. Noah wants red balls, tinsel – “and do we want stuffed animals on it too?” we ask stupidly. “Yes!” he says with beaming eyes.
Nice tinkering
For Emilia, the tree may be decorated in red and gold. Meanwhile, she has made her angel a glittering face and long glittering hair. The halo is still missing. SOS Kinderdorpen Burgenland manager Marek Zeliska has already shaped it – and puts it on Emilia. The girl has to laugh and her warmth is contagious. “My angel’s name is Emma,” she explains.
Noah, who has given his handiwork a glittery mullet — because “glitter always works,” says Miss Jennifer — won’t tell us his angel’s name. But for the fact that he doesn’t have a girlfriend yet and what’s on his wish list: “A robot dog that barks.” And what about Emily? The girl wants to “finally go ice skating”!
More information about SOS Children’s Villages and the various donation options can be found here.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
